Yvonne Andersen was born on October 3, 1932, in Boston, Massachusetts. Her early life was marked by an interest in art and education. She pursued formal training in art, which laid the foundation for her career in filmmaking and animation.
Andersen is primarily known as an experimental filmmaker, animator, and educator. She co-founded the Yellow Ball Workshop in Lexington, Massachusetts, in 1962 with her husband, Jordan Belson (though they later divorced). The Yellow Ball Workshop focused on teaching children the art of animation. Her work emphasizes participatory filmmaking and emphasizes the creative process of children.
Andersen’s contributions to the field of animation extend beyond her personal filmography. Her most significant achievement is arguably the Yellow Ball Workshop itself, which has influenced generations of animators and educators. Several of her films feature animation created by children. While often credited with “directing” certain works, her role is more accurately described as facilitating and guiding the creative input of children involved in the projects.
It’s important to note that these are not “movies” in the traditional sense but rather short films or segments often featuring children’s animation created under Andersen’s guidance:
Andersen’s career is distinguished by her commitment to education and participatory filmmaking. The Yellow Ball Workshop model fostered creativity and self-expression in children, making animation accessible to a wider audience. Her approach emphasizes the process of creation over the final product, and prioritizes the voices and perspectives of young people. She has lectured and conducted workshops extensively on the topic of children’s animation.